Living Etc July 2022

About a year ago, Jonathan Adler guest edited an issue of Livingetc. He heralded the arrival of ‘the roaring Twenties 2.0’ and we ran with the tag line ‘happiness through design’. In hindsight, we were a little early, but the industry seems to be catching up with Jonathan’s optimism now. As you read this, I’ll be in Milan for Salone del Mobile, the first time the fair – the biggest event in the design world’s calendar – has been on in full since 2019. Speaking to brands who are showing there, from iconic Brits like Tom Dixon and Lee Broom to the wonderful Italian powerhouses like Edra, Galotti&Radice and Porada, there is huge excitement about being back, bigger and better than ever. What happens at Salone soon filters out to the…

PIECE BY PIECE You can imagine these glasses taking up residence in a fearless and fun interior scheme. Atelier Adam Nathaniel Furman spreads a bit of joy on everything they are involved with designing, be it architecture, ceramics, lighting or glassware. This Chess collection is just the latest addition to their repertoire and ongoing collaborative relationship with the Lebanese design studio Beit Collective. Chess collection glassware, £182 for three, Atelier Adam Nathaniel Furman for Beit Collective SQUARED AWAY As was the case for most of us, the pandemic changed things for Henry Holland and he spent a lot of time developing his love for the ceramic medium, experimenting with materials and techniques. Speaking of his latest design, Henry says: ‘When I started experimenting with Checkerboard using the Nerikomi technique it just made me…

MIDAS TOUCH Calm, sophisticated yet still on the decadent side, lighter shades of gold may be the more liveable option for most homes. The pale golden tones of this beauty suit the inviting elegance of its design. Supplì armchair, from £2,090, Luca Nichetto for Arflex OFF TO BED Designer Bethan Gray says ‘nature, craft and culture’ were the focus of her new Dhow collection. She has translated the distinctive patterning and colour palette of her hugely successful Nizwa and Dhow cabinetry range into customisable headboards, tallboy chests and bedside cabinets. Dhow Monochrome bed, £20,520; bedside cabinets, £6,240 each, all Bethan Gray BACK TO THE FUTURE What inspired this new retro looking print? Kirkby Design, who teamed up with global fashion house Eley Kishimoto for a collection of wallcoverings, says this print is inspired by ‘the…

TRULY BUFF Tan always works well on stylish seating and it harks back to the brown-tone heydays of the 1960s and 1970s. Which tanned beauty looks best? It’s got to be the Eliseo, whose base comes in either a wood or die-cast aluminium finish and has a handy 360-degree swivel function. The whole package is rather James Bond-style swish, don’t you think? Eliseo armchair, price on request, Antonio Citterio Design for Flexform SLIMLINE DETAILS It might be those spindle feet, or the vertical, sunburst-style linear line detail on the main backrest and seat pad sections, but this chair reminds us of the graphic 1960s textile designs by Lucienne Day. The swivel base brings a lightness and movement to the whole aesthetic. Colibrì, price on request, Fabrice Berrux for Bonaldo MATERIAL GAINS Porada’s Copine Bergere chair…

MODERN CLASSIC After many years out of print, the Visiere lamp, made out of aluminium and painted in a cool white hue, is back in production in a signed and numbered unlimited edition. Looking a little like it’s coming in to land (clear a space on that sideboard!), this piece is a testament to the beauty of all-white lighting. Visiere lamp, from €1,400, Sergio Asti for Martinelli Luce LONG AND TALL At first glance, this lamp is a somewhat simple merging of shapes; the tall and thin base column is the perfect perching spot for the spherical opaque glass shade at the top. However, there’s more to the Chubes lamp design than just an elegant and contemporary presence. Each reeded tube creates its own ombré of light and shade when the light is…

Why and how should we embrace chinoiserie? It’s such a joyful interpretation of the beauty of nature, bringing in uplifting colour along with the refined style of painting to make a feast for the eyes. To experiment with it, I’d suggest framing pieces of wallpaper as art – a bite-sized way to introduce chinoiserie to your decor. Or wallpaper the fronts of wardrobe or cupboard doors so it feels like panelling. Which colours are you most drawn to? I love to bring in as much aqua and turquoise where I can, and also lush greens. Aqua reminds me of the sky and the sea, the things that are so important and connect everyone on the planet. They say this is why blue is the most loved colour globally. It makes me feel calm…